"is The Lord Among Us Or Not?:

“IS THE LORD AMONG US OR NOT?” (Outline)

August 14, 2022 – Pentecost 10 – EXODUS 17:1-7

INTRO: Doubts come from the devil. Satan wants people to doubt God’s promises. None are exempt from doubting. Peter was so excited to see Jesus he jumped out of the boat and walked on water. Yes! Walked on water as long as he looked at Jesus. Peter sank when he looked at the wind (not easily seen). "Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand, took hold of him, and said to him, ‘You of little faith, why did you doubt?’" (MATTHEW 14:31). The Lord might ask us the same question: Why do you doubt? Doubting leads to grumbling. Complaining. Asking: “IS THE LORD AMONG US OR NOT?”

I. We really complain too much, often. II. The LORD freely provides enough, always.

I. WE REALLY COMPLAIN TOO MUCH, OFTEN

A. The Israelites were at the beginning of their 40-year wandering in the wilderness.

1. They had been at the Promised Land border. But they doubted God’s power to deliver.

2. 10 spies report: inhabitants are too many, too strong. 2 spies stated God is more powerful.

3. Israel takes majority report. Doubt God’s power. Living generation not see Promised Land.

B. Verse 1a. Sin was the name of the wilderness area they were leaving.

1. Verses 1b, 2. No water. God’s children were thirsty. Complained to Moses.

2. Moses asked them why they were testing the Lord. They saw his glory every day in the sky.

C. Verse 3. “Why let us…children…livestock die of thirst?” Doubted God’s ability to provide.

1. In chapter 16 the Israelites complained about the manna. Free, daily bread. Enough for all.

2. Lord miraculously provided quail. Waist-deep. They ate until sick. Doubting grumblers.

D. How often do we complain? Grumble? Doubt? Probably too much and too often. This is the natural condition of our sinful nature. Our sinful nature is never satisfied. The devil knows this truth. Satan uses the temporary things of this world to distract us from the eternal gifts of God. Our sinful nature listens and wants more possessions. Newer. Bigger. Better. Just a little bit more. This is our natural condition from birth. Our Christian nature, new Adam, does not doubt but trusts. "I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, while being full or hungry, while having plenty or not enough. I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me" (PHILIPPIANS 4:12b, 13). Learn the secret to be content. In plenty or want. In poverty or wealth. “I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me."

E. Do not ever underestimate the power of the devil. Satan is the father of lies. Deceit is his native language. Satan even tried to tempt Jesus into sinning by using doubt. (That temptation did work with Adam and Eve). Jesus was baptized. Then he walked in the wilderness for 40 days. Near the end of that time Satan comes to tempt Jesus. Hungry, Satan tells Jesus to turn a stone into bread. Jesus: Man does not live on bread alone. The devil tempted Jesus with power if he would worship him (Satan). Jesus: Worship the Lord your God only. Satan wanted Jesus to cast himself to the ground from the temple top. Angels would protect him. “Jesus answered him, ‘It says: “You shall not test the Lord your God.”’” (LUKE 4:12). Do not test the Lord by doubting and asking, “Is the Lord among us or not?”

F. How do overcome our natural fondness for complaining? Philippians [4:12b, 13 (above)] reminds us being content is something we learn. Consider our beginning and end of our earthly life. We learn the secret of contentment. "But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we certainly cannot take anything out" (1 TIMOTHY 6:6, 7). We are born with nothing. Leave vale of tears with nothing. Godliness leads to contentment. We are content the Lord is among us. Lives in us.

“IS THE LORD AMONG US OR NOT?” We confess that we complain too often. Doubt does this.

II. THE LORD FREELY PROVIDES ENOUGH, ALWAYS

A. The wandering Israelites were upset with Moses. No water. Thirsty. Doubting Moses. God.

1. Verse 4. Moses knew who was the One who would and could help. Turns to the Lord.

2. “What shall I do with these people? They are almost ready to stone me!”

B. Verse 5. Lord provides Moses with the solution for the current complaints of his chosen people.

1. Stand in front of the people. Take the elders with you. Take along your staff.

2. Moses’ staff was symbol of the Lord’s power. Authority. Used in 10 plagues in Egypt.

3. Moses used the staff, so Israel crossed sea on dry ground. Waters drowned Egyptian army.